I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

I learned to embroider when I was a kid, when everyone was really into cross stitch (remember the '80s?). Eventually, I migrated to surface embroidery, teaching myself with whatever I could get my hands on...read more

But the nose grew on me as I went a long – or at least, it didn’t bother me as much by the time the whole little piece was finished.

I wasn’t planning to add any gold or anything fancy to this piece. After all, it’s a practice piece. Why would I use a real goldwork thread on a practice exercise in tambour work?

But you know, this gold thread – gold tambour thread #7 – is called tambour thread for a reason! It’s flexibility makes it perfect for using with the tambour needle (and apparently, it works well in lace making techniques, like bobbin lace…)

And it’s so easy to work with, using the tambour needle – easier than most other threads, including regular cotton. It just glides into the stitches, it doesn’t snag on the needle, it doesn’t separate, it just…. works.

So, sacrilegious as it may seem to say this about a fine goldwork thread – even if you’re just starting to practice with the tambour needle, use some of this stuff!

Once I worked the little scrollies in gold, I couldn’t stop there.

You know how it is, when you’re working along, and really enjoying the process, the thread, the whole experience? And then it comes to an end? And there’s that deflating sense of disappointment?

That’s what happened when the scrollies were finished. They took a whole of maybe 10 minutes. And then it was over!

So I concocted new places to put the gold.

After all, she’s just practice, right?

I tipped out some of Gertie’s tail feathers in gold. It worked, but it’s not that noticeable because of the vivid yellows and oranges on the tail.

So then I decided the gold had to be a wing thing, too.

That worked better. The contrast between the purples and blues and the gold made the gold stand out a little.

Then the crest got a wee touch of the gold as well.

And I stepped back and thought – well, she looks ok.

But…. something was missing. She seemed to lack personality. Why was that?

Oh! She needs an eye!

A little bit of foraging….

…and a wee faceted amethyst bead.

And that brought Gertie to life!

Eyes are so important.

Here’s a photo off the frame, in different lighting, with the tambour hook to give you some idea of size. She’s not too large, our little Gertie.

And that’s the end of that practice piece. I hope you enjoyed seeing it!

(33) Comments

Miss Gertie McFuzz has come alive I love the gold and the beaded eye definitely gives her personality, the added goldwork also enhances the piece it’s lovely. I wonder what you will do with the piece now it’s completed it would look nice on the top of one of those boxes from Sudbury House. I can’t wait to see the shading piece and the book review. Thanks for showing us Miss Gertie.

Glamorous Gertie wouldn’t have been glamorous without her bit of gold. A bit of practice with the gold needed doing too, so it wasn’t a waste at all. The colors all look very good together – she could be a gift to someone for Christmas if you don’t have anywhere for her to live in your house. I like how she turned out, I may try to do her up with a few more sparkly bits and beads, make her a Christmas themed bird.

Gertie is very cute. I like that her beak isn’t perfect since animals and humans may have an imperfection according to the scale of beauty that we all draw from. That is what makes her unique. Thanks for sharing some great stitching fun with us all.

There once was a girl-bird named Gertrude McFuzz
And she had the smallest plain tail ever was.
One droopy-drop feather. That’s all that she had.
And, oh! That one feather made Gertrude so sad!
So Mary took hold with her tambour and thread,
And gave Gertie a lovely blue head.
With fire in her tail and ice in her wings
She soon became one of Mary’s favourite things.
But when standing back Mary thought she looked cold…..
So warmed her up with lashings of gold!!!!

Mary, that gold tamour thread really made the whole composition work. Gertrude is beautiful. I didn’t like the beak until seeing the pic where you added the eye. That made her have a personality. She’s cute!

Thanks for posting this project. I’ve learned so much. I can’t wait to see the next one.

We all like her eye, that much is clear,
She’s looking at Mary without any fear.
At last, she thinks, that hook has been sheathed
No more sticking and jabbing, she’s very relieved!
Full feathered now perhaps with a wriggle, a shake and a shove,
Gertie McFuzz can soar high above.

She’s so pretty, Mary-what will you do with her? She deserves to have a spot! A place to be and to be admired!
Mercy me…every time you introduce a new (to me) stitching method or type, I just want to jump in, needle first, and DO IT! But, I look at my stash…for pete’s sake-MY STASH!! I’ve got to finish what I’ve started-just got to.

Thank you Mary for just being there every day since my husband died. I’m still weaving my way through the madness that bereavement becomes, retiring at the end of the year from the job that kept me sane through the last two dark years and always being inspired by your work. Reading your bright comments every day and knowing that whatever shape the day takes, there will be another project from you and a cheerful comment on the next one has meant, like in everything, it’s just one step at a time.
Your friend in the UK
Gill

I like gertie – I do enjoy a bit of extemporizing now and again. I have a real Thing about eyes. If I am doing a person or animal, I have to work at the project as quickly as possible so that I can put the eye in. I find eye-less figures — not creepy, exactly… more “accusatory”. Like they are unhapy with me for leaving them blind. Once the eye is in, the figure or animal becomes my friend and the whole process becomes more relaxed. Is that a bit crazy of me? I suppose it is.

Your work is beautiful. Although I rarely comment, your blog means a lot to me. I am disabled (MS) but you never cease to inspire me to do more than I think is possible, and thanks to you, my embroidery is almost back to the standard it was before I was diagnosed, (about 18 years ago). Some days I am confined to my daybed, and stitching has saved my mental wellbeing. On days when my hands make it impossible for me to hold a needle, I still manage some knitting..albeit very slowly. Perhaps you don’t underatand how much your blogs, mean to people like me. Blessing

Hi, Lesley! It’s very consoling and encouraging to know that Needle ‘n Thread means so much to you, and that it has helped you through tough times. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories of how needlework serves as a kind of therapy for so many people, and I will add yours to the list. Thank you for your kind note! Keep your chin up and your needles humming! – Mary

Hi Mary,
I’m a cushion maker i make more than 50 different cushions and i am very very impressed in your embroidery and i am also intrested in ribbon embroidery and i am try new ideas on this,thank you

Mary,
I am so glad you’re continuing to offer us more information about doing tambour work. I’ve gotten as far a acquiring the hoop and hook. Each of your articles encourages me again and enlightens me further.
Thank you

Mary,
You have given me the courage to try tambour work. I have ordered my hook and I’m going to give it a try. I am in the process of working on two church pieces to complete an antique vestment. It was worked entirely in Beauvais stitch, but I worked the first in traditional chain stitch. It took a short lifetime to complete. So, for the second piece, I’m giving the hook a whirl. I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks for your input, as usual. Your work is divine!